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Dame Glynis said: “I believe that in writing to us you have only the best interests of the University of Bath in mind.

“The Higher Education sector as a whole is undergoing massive change, reflecting a developing political and public view on funding and regulation.

“Our university is in a process of transition.

“In that transition, my role should be and will be very limited.”

This is the professors’ letter:

Dear Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor and Chair of Council,

1) As professors within the University of Bath, we have a strong commitment to the institution. We are concerned that it should serve its students, the local community and the larger society, both nationally and internationally. Since its establishment in 1966, the University has developed a strong reputation for teaching and research, under a succession of Vice-Chancellors. This success has resulted from the efforts of the University community as a whole, working together. We are therefore very concerned at the reputational crisis that has developed over recent months, as evidenced in the criticisms made in the HEFCE report, the loss of local MPs from membership of Court and the widespread negative publicity that the University has experienced.

2) The Vice-Chancellor has decided to step down from her post. This was the right decision. We urge her, however, to do so immediately, rather than in the summer of 2018. Otherwise, it will be difficult for the University community to come together and re-build a sense of common purpose. We question the use of public funds for the Vice-Chancellor’s proposed ‘sabbatical’, which was awarded without reference to our standard sabbatical procedures, and risks continuing negative publicity.

3) The Chair of Council shares responsibility for the governance crisis of recent months. He should resign with immediate effect. We call on Council to exercise henceforth much greater transparency in its proceedings, and in particular to respect those members elected from the University community.

4) We welcome the proposed enquiry into governance. We expect as professors to make a vigorous and constructive contribution. We also expect the whole University community to be involved. If the enquiry is limited to the role of Council, then we will urge Senate and Academic Assembly to examine the changes needed more generally in the management and governance of the University.

The University of Bath's campus in Claverton Down

5) The reforms of the University must go well beyond the remuneration of senior managers. Over recent years, the University has operated increasingly on the model of a corporate organisation. We need to stand back and consider how far this is appropriate to its mission, as an institution concerned with education and the public good.

6) The University must take its time and not rush the process of reform. Only when reforms have been set in place, should it move on to the appointment of a new Vice-Chancellor. Good decisions are more important than quick decisions. The transitional arrangements for leadership of the University, until a new Vice-Chancellor is appointed, should themselves be the subject of discussion between Council, Senate and the University community.

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7) As a community of professors, we look forward to working with Council members and with the new Vice-Chancellor, when appointed, to re-build the reputation of the University.

8) We recognise that the University authorities are already moving to take decisions on these matters; we request confirmation that they accept and vigorously embrace the principles we have set out here. Given that degree congregations are taking place next week, with the risk of further student demonstrations and embarrassment, we hope that this can be done urgently.

cc. Senior Management Team, Council Members

Yours sincerely

Ravi Acharya (Biology and Biochemistry)

Chris Bowen (Mechanical Engineering)

Andrew Brown (School of Management)

Anna Bull (Politics, Languages and International Studies)

Francis Burstall (Mathematical Sciences)

Richard Butler (Mechanical Engineering)

Lynn Prince Cooke (Social and Policy Sciences)

James Copestake (Social and Policy Sciences)

Andrew Crane (School of Management)

James Davenport (Computer Science)

Matthew Davidson (Chemistry)

Dimo Dimov (School of Management)

Tina Duren (Chemical Engineering)

Julian Faraway (Mathematical Sciences)

Edward Feil (Biology and Biochemistry)

Michael Finus (Economics)

Yiannis Gabriel (School of Management)

Anna Gilmore (Health)

Paul Gregg (Social and Policy Sciences)

Ismet Gursul (Mechanical Engineering)

Richard Guy (Pharmacy and Pharmacology)

Peter Hall (Computer Science)

Alma Harris (Education)

Vaughan Hart (Architecture & Civil Engineering)

Paul Higate (Politics, Languages and International Studies)

Jan Hofman (Chemical Engineering)

John Hudson (Economics)

Laurence Hurst (Biology and Biochemistry)

Stephen Husbands (Pharmacy and Pharmacology)

Saiful Islam (Chemistry)

Chris James (Education)

Adam Joinson (School of Management)

Roland Jones (Pharmacy and Pharmacology)

Barbara Kasprzyk-Hordern (Chemistry)

Robert Kelsh (Biology and Biochemistry)

Patrick Keogh (Mechanical Engineering)

Alastair King (Mathematical Science)

Hugh Lauder (Education)

David Leak (Biology and Biochemistry)

Mark Lindsey (Pharmacy and Pharmacology)

Hartmut Logemann (Mathematical Sciences)

Orietta Marsili (School of Management)

Michele Meo (Mechanical Engineering)

Tony Miles (Mechanical Engineering)

David Miller (Social and Policy Sciences)

Randy Mrsny (Pharmacy and Pharmacology)

Shasi Nandeibam (Economics)

Mathew Penrose (Mathematical Sciences)

Laurie Peter (Chemistry)

Andrew Plummer (Mechanical Engineering)

Robert Price (Pharmacy and Pharmacology)

Graham Room (Social and Policy Sciences)

Philip Salmon (Physics)

Ammon Salter (School of Management)

Gregory Sankaran (Mathematical Sciences)

Robert Scheichl (Mathematical Sciences)

John Sessions (Economics)

Avi Shankar (School of Management)

Jey Sivaloganathan (Mathematical Sciences)

Alastair Spence (Mathematical Sciences)

Michael Threadgill (Pharmacy and Pharmacology)

Michael Tipping (Mathematical Science)

Ian Tonks (School of Management)

Christos Vasilakis (School of Management)

Alison Walker (Physics)

Sarah White (Social and Policy Sciences)

Ian Williams (Chemistry)

Jason Wolf (Biology and Biochemistry)

Sue Wonnacott (Biology and Biochemistry)

Ania Zalewska (School of Management)

Johannes Zimmer (Mathematical Sciences)

Letter from Dame Glynis:

Professor Breakwell who has led the University of Bath since 2001 (Image: SWNS.com)

Dear Professors

I am responding immediately to the letter that you sent to the Chancellor, Chair of Council and myself. I believe that in writing to us you have only the best interests of the University of Bath in mind.

I know that the Chair of Council will respond on matters of the governance of the university, I have no authority to do that. However, I want to say very clearly, as I said in the last Senate meeting, that I will be doing everything that I can to encourage Council to respond positively to the recommendations for change made by HEFCE in its report. I believe that the review of Council effectiveness that has been initiated now should and will engage a broad range of interest groups within the university community. It will be a great opportunity for all quarters of the university and others who care about our future success to voice ideas and offer recommendations for change.

In your letter, you suggest there should be a discussion of the nature of the organisation of the university more broadly and state that if this is to be done effectively it should not be rushed. I believe that it is recognised by Council that the process for the appointment of the next Vice Chancellor will also need to actively and extensively engage the university community and other stakeholders. The form and scope this engagement takes is something which will need to be worked out and I think the university should take the best advice available on this.

The Higher Education sector as a whole is undergoing massive change, reflecting a developing political and public view on funding and regulation. Our university is in a process of transition. In that transition, my role should be and will be very limited. My job until August 2018 is to ensure that the university can deal with its ordinary business while changes are decided. We have a major series of projects that need to be supported and progressed during that time if our community is to realise the long term benefits of the investments we are making in our research base, both people and facilities. Examples include engaging with the local community and B&NES Council in relation to the University Masterplan, finalising the purchase of the Bristol and Bath Science Park and realising the opportunity this provides to expand, besides concluding negotiations with the major donors whose generosity will help us achieve the £66 million target we have been working towards in our Look Further fund raising campaign. There are a number of other pressing issues ahead both within the sector and beyond which will require the University to be well placed to respond. I would like now to get on with this time critical work in the best interests of the university.

One final point, I have been awarded a six month sabbatical on full pay after 17 years of service to the university. As professors of this university, you will know that the award of a six month sabbatical on full pay is not unusual – especially at the end of a long period in a senior office. As Vice Chancellor, I am responsible for authorising all sabbaticals. It was clearly not appropriate for that to apply in my own case. On advice, that decision was taken by Council on the recommendation of its Remuneration Committee. During the sabbatical, I will be engaged in research and publishing primarily in the fields of psychology. I expect some of this work will be in collaboration with other academics at the university and open to being REF-able. The work and any research income generated from it will be attributable to the university.

I would like to thank you for writing to me. I intend to make both your letter and my reply public within our community.

Professor Dame Glynis Breakwell

President and Vice-Chancellor

Mr Sheppard’s letter:

Thomas Sheppard in 2006

Dear Professors,

I am writing in response to the letter that you sent to the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor and myself. As the Vice-Chancellor says in her own reply, I also believe that in writing to us you have only the best interests of the University of Bath in mind.

I will focus, as is appropriate to my position as Chair of Council, on the matters you raise pertaining to governance.

I of course welcome the strong commitment to the institution you express and your desire that it should serve its students, the local community and the larger society, both nationally and internationally. I am in no doubt that all within the University community who have been sent this letter share this commitment. You will be aware that the Senate of the University and separately its Council have formally discussed the issues raised and have reaffirmed confidence in the Vice-Chancellor and me as Chair of Council respectively. Neither the Vice-Chancellor nor I were present for either of these debates or the subsequent votes.

Further to the announcement of the Vice-Chancellor’s retirement and the acceptance in full by Council of the findings of the report published by HEFCE, the chair of our Audit Committee, who has led the process to appoint an independent consultant to conduct a full, rigorous Effectiveness Review of Council, informs me that a decision on an appointment has now been made. This will be announced shortly. The process by which input into the review from the wider University community and other stakeholders will be captured, will be communicated by the consultant after their appointment.

In addition the process to appoint a new Vice-Chancellor is being considered with the intention of ensuring that the views of the University community, including of course the professoriate and other staff, are taken into account in identifying the attributes and leadership qualities required to take us forward, move beyond the events of recent weeks and focus once again on enhancing our strong reputation for teaching and research. Appropriate, independent, specialist advice will be sought on what is I am sure you agree a critical decision for the University.

The findings of the Effectiveness Review and emerging best practice within the sector on senior staff remuneration and other related issues will of course themselves be key inputs into this process.